וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדֹּ֥ור הַזֶּֽה׃
耶和華對挪亞說：「你和你全家都進入方舟，因為在這世代中，我看見你在我面前是義人。」
耶和华对挪亚说：“你和你全家都进入方舟，因为在这世代中，我看见你在我面前是义人。”
Yēhéhuá duì Nuóyà shuō: “Nǐ hé nǐ quánjiā dōu jìnrù fāngzhōu, yīnwèi zài zhè shìdài zhōng, wǒ kànjiàn nǐ zài wǒ miànqián shì yìrén.”
And the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and your whole household, because I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The LORD (God) | Proper noun |
| 對 / 对 | duì | To, toward | Preposition |
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah | Proper noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | To say | Verb |
| 你 | nǐ | You | Pronoun |
| 全家 | quánjiā | Whole household | Noun |
| 進入 / 进入 | jìnrù | To enter | Verb |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
| 因為 / 因为 | yīnwèi | Because | Conjunction |
| 世代 | shìdài | Generation | Noun |
| 看見 / 看见 | kànjiàn | To see | Verb |
| 面前 | miànqián | In front of | Adverbial phrase |
| 義人 / 义人 | yìrén | Righteous person | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): Refers to the personal name of God, often translated as “The LORD” in English.
- 進入 / 进入 (jìnrù): A verb phrase meaning “to enter,” emphasizing action.
- 因為 / 因为 (yīnwèi): A conjunction used to provide a reason or explanation, similar to “because.”
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): [Yē hé huá] – Pronounce each syllable with a high-level tone.
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [Nuó yà] – “Nuó” has a rising tone, and “yà” has a falling tone.
- 進入 / 进入 (jìnrù): [jìn rù] – Both syllables have a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): The name of God in the Bible, representing His authority and guidance.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): “Ark,” referring to the vessel Noah built under God’s instructions to survive the flood.
- 義人 / 义人 (yìrén): A righteous person, describing Noah’s character in his generation.
5. Cultural Insights
- Righteousness in Action: Noah’s righteousness is highlighted as a reason for his salvation, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and obedience in both biblical and Chinese cultural values.
- Family Responsibility: The inclusion of Noah’s whole household signifies the importance of family in spiritual and moral contexts, resonating with Confucian principles of filial piety and family unity.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 義人 / 义人 (yìrén): Remember “righteous person” by associating it with Noah’s exemplary behavior in a corrupt generation.
- 進入 / 进入 (jìnrù): Visualize Noah leading his family into the ark as a safe haven.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew phrase “בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה” aligns closely with the Chinese “你和你全家都進入方舟,” emphasizing the inclusive call for Noah’s family to enter the ark.
- Comparison with English: The English translation “Enter the ark, you and your whole household” mirrors both the Hebrew and Chinese in its clear directive and reasoning.
8. Application
This passage underscores the themes of righteousness, obedience, and family unity. Noah’s righteousness sets him apart in a corrupt world, showing that moral integrity can lead to salvation and divine favor. The inclusion of his whole household highlights the importance of shared responsibility and collective well-being. In contemporary life, this passage inspires individuals to uphold ethical principles and prioritize the welfare of their families and communities.
